Following the first round of the latest Champions Cup concluded, we delve into the key revelations emerging from the weekend's action.
Top 14 superiority has been the narrative in the past few campaigns, with the previous five victors all calling home France's Top 14. However, the first weekend showcased several convincing performances from new contenders.
Bordeaux Look Set to Retain Their Crown
Current holders Bordeaux Begles were a class apart in Europe the previous campaign, dismantling Toulouse in the last four and subsequently Northampton in the showpiece.
Positioned sixth in the French league, questions have been asked about their chances of defending the accomplishment this season. Yet, in round one, Bordeaux served notice that they are more than capable of winning consecutive championships with a free-flowing win on the road in South Africa.
Faced with a challenging fixture at the Bulls' fortress against a formidable Bulls side boasting talents like Willie le Roux, Handre Pollard, and Canan Moodie, they found themselves trailing 33-22 at the break.
However, as champions do, they showed their quality in the final 40 minutes, fighting back to seal a 46-33 victory – shutting out the Bulls without a point after the break.
French try-scoring machines Damian Penaud and global award contender Louis Bielle-Biarrey were among the try-scorers. Any team with such firepower on the flanks is a threat against any opponent.
Powerful Bath Seem Poised of Going the Distance
Bath's only triumph in Europe was almost a generation ago. In the years since, they have arguably not been more prepared to win it again.
The defending English Premiership champions are leading the way at home after six games and will be hoping to translate that form into continental competition – on the back of a shocking early departure last year.
Johann van Graan's men looked a extremely well-rounded and polished team in their 40-14 victory against Munster, who are highly placed in the Celtic league.
They combine attacking verve – sealing the extra point in under 20 minutes at the Rec – with defensive steel, restraining their guests at arm's length when they threatened a late rally.
With the likes of Finn Russell and Ben Spencer in the half-backs and a deep squad all over the roster, they have to be considered credible threats for a first European trophy since 1998.
Bath's defining match in the group stage a year ago occurred in the following week, an agonising 22-21 defeat at Benetton with a squad players.
Now with a domestic championship to their name and top domestically again, Van Graan could be inclined to put a heightened focus on the Champions Cup now.
Glasgow Hand Sale a Tough Start
The tournament contains strong teams in every pool, but the first group seems destined to be one of the most competitive.
In the competition's present structure, a lot is made about winning your home games, which is why Glasgow's away victory at Sale on Friday evening might just turn out to be vital.
The Glasgow Warriors were two scores behind after 20 minutes but responded with character, and two tries early in the second half gave them a valuable bonus-point win.
By achieving this, they handed their chances of progressing a significant early boost and, by contrast, inflicted a damaging defeat to the Sharks.
With the French giants – imperious 56-19 winners against the Sharks – and Saracens, who brushed aside Clermont, also in the pool, we can expect many thrilling contests.
And as for Glasgow's old rivals Edinburgh? They turned in one of their finest displays in Europe in a long time to stun three-time winners Toulon 33-20, on a successful weekend for Scottish rugby.
Could Ioane the Missing Ingredient of the Leinster Quest?
Should you pick one side you would expect to be there or thereabouts at the later stages of the Champions Cup, it would be four-time winners Leinster.
Yet in recent campaigns it hasn't gone to plan, as they have promised much but fallen short. Beaten finalists three years in a row between 2022-24, they looked overwhelming favourites the previous campaign after backing up a 62-0 mauling of Harlequins in the round of 16 with a 52-0 destruction over Glasgow in the quarter-final.
It was hoped that All Black star Jordie Barrett would be the key player to take them over the line, but they were surprised and endured a stunning upset to Northampton Saints in the semi-final.
Now they are bringing in another Kiwi, this time with Rieko Ioane, who claimed a key pass on his first appearance in Saturday's 45-28 win over Harlequins.
Will Ioane prove to return the cup to Ireland for the first time since 2018?
Stormers Seem Equipped to Compete
Ever since the teams from South Africa joined the Champions Cup in 2022-23, the deepest run achieved is the last eight, and the previous season no South African side succeeded in getting out of the group stage, with several weakened teams fielded.
Is this the year that turns around? The Stormers are top of the URC and started their continental journey with a 26-17 away win at Bayonne on Friday.
The post-match comments were positive too, with individuals involved speaking of their goals, and the caliber of South African internationals Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Damian Willemse not involved for the opening victory.
The Stormers seem the best bet for a team from South Africa to progress far in the competition, but do not rule out the Sharks and Bulls, who each suffered defeat in their first games but did play Toulouse and Bordeaux respectively.
Northampton and Pau Serve Up a Thrilling Contest
There were multiple possibilities for match of the round, and this one was a leading candidate.
Pau have been enjoying a outstanding season, led by Pumas Julian Montoya and Facundo Isa and former Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.
They are presently in second place in the Top 14 and the stadium was buzzing at the Stade du Hameau|their home ground|Pau's
